Get Out: May 20, 2010

Thursday

May 20, 2010 at 2:00 AM

Annual BLM Table Rock HikesThis is the last weekend for free, guided spring hikes on the Upper and Lower Table Rocks, offered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and The Nature Conservancy. The hikes range from three to five miles round-trip along a moderate-grade trail, and last three to five hours.Reservations are required. Dress for the weather and bring a lunch and water. No dogs are allowed on the trails. To reserve a space, call the BLM's Medford District office at 541-618-2200.Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m., Lower Table Rock — Illustrator William Reed steps out on a nature sketch trip. Participation limited to 14 individuals.Sunday, May 23, 10 a.m.: Lower Table Rock — Sean Anderson, BLM wildlife biological technician, and Heather Armstrong, a BLM environmental interpreter, lead a trip to explore the rich natural world on the picturesque rock.

Native Plant Society outingsSunday, May 23: Group will search for black morels in the Howard Prairie vicinity. Meet at 10 a.m. behind Oil Stop on Ashland Street, next to the Ashland Bi-Mart parking lot west of I-5, exit 14. For more information contact hike leader John Teem at 541-621-6137 or john@continuumfarm.com.Saturday, June 5: Visit a Hinds Walnut site on Bear Creek; the famous “Tolo Tree,” a gray pine; and a hike off Foley Lane to view both gray pine and California buckeye. Bring a lunch and prepare to carpool. Group size limited; preregistration required. Meet at Abertson's in Central Point at 10 a.m. For more information, call hike leader Frank Callahan at 541-855-1164 or e-mail callahanseeds@gmail.com.

KS Wild hikesSaturday, June 19: Join KS Wild board member Joseph Flaherty and longtime supporter Greg Walter for a walk along the eastern edge of the Siskiyou Crest above the Illinois Valley and Oregon Caves to Bigelow Lake and Mount Elijah. “This botanically rich area is freshly free of livestock grazing and the native wildflowers already are bounding back in spectacular profusion,” organizers say. This trail will gain expansive vistas toward the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and pass through stands of nearly pristine native forest. Meet at 9 a.m. at Coffee Heaven in Cave Junction, at the intersection of Highway 199 and the road to the Oregon Caves. Group will hike in light rain, but will cancel for more severe weather. Bring food, water, warm clothes, rain gear if needed and binoculars if you have them. Contact laurel@kswild.org or 541-488-5789 for more info.Saturday, July 17: This difficult hike to the top of Wagner Butte, the second-highest peak in the Siskiyou Range, offers extraordinary views of Ashland, the Rogue Valley, the Siskiyou Crest and southern Cascades. Group will hike through second- and old-growth forests, meadows, sagebrush, mountain mahogany and pass by a locally rare grove of aspen along the summit. The hike is slightly more than 10 miles, so arrive prepared for a solid day of hiking. Meet at 9 a.m. at Evo's Cafe in Ashland to carpool to the trailhead. Group will hike in light rain, but will cancel for more severe weather. Bring food, water, warm clothes, rain gear if needed and binoculars if you have them. Contact laurel@kswild.org or 541-488-5789 for more info.

Oregon Wild hikesSaturday, May 29: This free hike to Rough and Ready Creek is an easy to moderate, 5- to 6-mile trek in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest with an elevation gain of 500 feet. Expect rare flowers, predatory plants and old Port Orford Cedars in one of Oregon's most biologically diverse eco-regions. The area may one day be part of Oregon's largest wilderness area. Leader is Gabe Howe. For details or to sign up, go online to www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events.Saturday, June 12: This free hike to Babyfoot Lake in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness covers 5.5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 500 to 1,000 feet. The hike will be traverse a glacial cirque and drop down to it's geologic product, Babyfoot Lake. Eight years after the 2002 Biscuit fire, this loop trail offers a glimpse into an invaluable laboratory with a turbulent geologic and contemporary history. Leader is Gabe Howe. For details or to sign up, go online to www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events.

Rogue Valley WalkersSaturday, May 22: 10K walk through Ashland's Railroad District, Lithia Park and the Southern Oregon University Campus. The starting point is at the Stratford Inn, 555 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, where maps are available. The 8 a.m. starting time is optional. This route is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, and dogs are not allowed in Lithia Park. This is an American Volksport Association special event sanctioned walk.

Lithia Park walksThrough Sept. 29: Free, guided walks in Ashland's Lithia Park start again for the 22nd year on Sunday, May 2. Sponsored by the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department, the walks take about 90 minutes. Walks leave at 10 a.m. every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from the Plaza entrance. Saturday walks are added in July and August.

Pompadour 9K and 5KSaturday, May 22: The races, sponsored by Rogue Valley Runners store, begin at 9 a.m. at North Mountain Park in Ashland. Cost for the 9K is $20 before May 21. The 5K is $10, with all proceeds going benefit Sheldon Derr, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Talent Middle School who has muscular dystrophy. Race-day entry fee adds $5 to the early-entry fee for both distances. Check out www.roguevalleyrunners.com for entry form and details.

Memorial Day Ashland RunSaturday, May 29: The 35th annual run starts at 8:30 a.m. at Hargadine and Fork streets and covers 4.8 hilly miles along Ashland's trails, alleys and backroads. Entry fee is $1.25. Race-day registration at 8:15 a.m. For more information, call 541-482-4919 or 541-488-0504.

Rogue River Rooster CrowSaturday, June 26: 5K run and two-mile walk begins at 8 a.m. at Rogue River Middle School's Beck Field. The course is flat and fast. Entry fee by June 19 is $8 with no T-shirt, $15 with T-shirt. Race-day fee is $10 with no T-shirt. For information, telephone 541-621-6361 or go to the Southern Oregon Runners club's online race calendar at www.sor.org.

Siskiyou Outback Trail RunsJuly 10: The 12th annual trail run includes a 50K and 15K event. The race starts at the Mt. Ashland Lodge and proceeds west on a combination of trail and dirt roads. Registration is limited to 225 runners in each event. Go to www.siskiyououtback.com to register. Proceeds from the race benefit the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

RECURRING MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDESEvery Tuesday, women's rides, Grants Pass: From April through October, Bike Kraft hosts a weekly women's mountain bike ride that meets and leaves from its shop at 6 p.m. The rides last about two hours on average and accommodate many skill levels. Bike Kraft is at 785 Rogue River Hwy. Contact Richard Amneus: 541-476-4935 or bikekraft@yahoo.com.Every Wednesday, Jacksonville: Sponsored by Cycle Analysis, these rides are for all ages and abilities and are group-oriented. They begin at 6:30 p.m. from Cycle Analysis, 535 N. Fifth St., Jacksonville, and include the John's Peak trail system. Every ride ends with free refreshments supplied by Cycle Analysis. Helmets are required. Contact Jana Jenson at 541-899-9190, or e-mail cyclea@internetcds.com.Every Wednesday, Grants Pass: BikeKraft hosts a weekly ride that meets and leaves at 6 p.m. from its shop, 785 Rogue River Highway. The rides last about two hours and accommodate many skill levels. Contact Richard Amneus at 541-476-4935 or check out www.bikekraft.com.Every Thursday, Ashland: Ride organized by the crew at Ashland Cycle Sport, 191 Oak St., Ashland. Meet at the plaza in Ashland at 6:30 p.m. Riders of all abilities are welcome, but be able to climb for a few miles to reach the trails. Helmets are required. Contact Thom Kneeland, 541-476-4935, for further information or check out the Web site at www.roguecycle.com.Every Thursday, Grants Pass: Don's Bike Center has a ride that starts at its shop at 5:30 p.m. Rides last about two hours and are tailored to intermediate to advanced riders. Don's is at 211 SW G St. Contact Don or Shawn at 541-471-3494.Every Saturday, Grants Pass: The folks from Don's Bike Center meet at the Cathedral Hills trailhead on Espy Road at 7:30 a.m. for two hours of riding. Contact Don or Shawn at 541-471-3494.

Saturday, May 22: Rogue Valley Audubon Society birdwalk along the Bear Creek Greenway from Talent south. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Lynn Newbry Park in Talent, just of the I-5 exit.

Tuesday, May 25: Rogue Valley Audubon Society annual potluck and picnic at TouVelle State Park. Picnic begins at 6 p.m., preceded by a birdwalk at 5 p.m. Bring a dish to share, with your own plates, utensils and a drinking glass. Iced tea and lemonade provided. There's a $5 entry fee to the park. For details, call Gaylene Hurley at 541-621-3196.

Wednesday, June 2: Rogue Valley Audubon Society monthly first-Wednesday birdwalk. Meet at 8:30 a.m. on TouVelle Road in the northeast section of the Denman Wildlife Area near White City. Leader is Denny Niebuhr, 541-482-6589 or rogueden@ashlandhome.net.

Saturday, June 5: Rogue Valley Audubon Society half-day trip along the Klamath River in Northern California with Vince Zauskey. First stop is the Collier Rest Area off Highway 96, and after a few other stops the trip ends at Tree of Heaven Campground. Bring a lunch. For meeting place and directions, call Zauskey at 541-482-0235 or go to www.roguevalleyaudubon.org.

June 11-12: Birding By Ear workshop and field trip to Jefferson Nature Center with Klamath Bird Observatory Executive Director John Alexander. Friday evening workshop from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will explore bird songs and calls through recordings, sonograms and other devices. Skills learned Friday will be put to use during the Saturday field trip, from 9 to 11 a.m. To register, call KBO at 541-201-0866.

Community weed pullsSaturday, May 22: The Nature Conservancy has organized a work party to pull invasive weeds at its Rogue River Plains Preserve from 9 a.m. to noon. The preserve includes features such as vernal pools and mounded prairie habitat near Medford. There will be an array of wildflowers in bloom to entertain weeders. Snacks will be provided. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and come prepared to work outdoors. To join the work party, contact Alicia Fitzgerald at 541-770-7933 ext. 5 or e-mail afitzgerald@tnc.org.

Saturday, May 22: The Josephine County Cooperative Weed Management Area is asking volunteers to meet at Tom Pierce Park from 9 a.m. to noon for a day of hands-on learning to discover which weeds are really menacing and how we can keep them from taking over. Volunteers are requested to help clean up the noxious weeds and they will be treated to a picnic lunch, free T-shirts and door prizes after the morning event. For more information, call Josephine County Parks at 541-474-5285.

Starthistle Fly-InMay 29-31: The Rogue Valley Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association sponsors its 34th annual event on Woodrat Mountain in the Applegate over Memorial Day weekend. The event features competitions and camaraderie for hang glider and paraglider pilots, but interested beginners can pick up information on the sport. Festivities include a Saturday night spaghetti feed, a Sunday morning pancake feed and Sunday night barbecue. Go to www.rvhpa.net for more information.

Northwest Tandem Rally Friday through Monday, July 2-5: Medford will host the 25th Northwest Tandem Rally during the July 4th weekend, and registration is open. Fliers and applications are available at local Rogue Valley bike shops and online at http://nwtr.org/2010/. The annual event, held last year in Victoria, British Columbia, attracts 650 to 900 participants from as far away as Hawaii and Florida. Rally bicyclists will tour Rogue Valley scenic byways throughout the weekend, with routes ranging from 25 to 85 miles. Net proceeds will be donated to Kids Unlimited, Bear Creek Greenway, Rogue River Greenway and Siskiyou Velo. Local sponsors include Jacksonville's Cycle Analysis, Medford Cycle Sports and Freewheel Bicycle Solutions of Talent. For more information, contact event director Edgar Hee at 541-734-4872 or ejhee@juno.com.